Installation of 42 Electric Chargers for Airline Ground Service Equipment Begins This Week

$1.3 Million Clean Air Program Will Allow Airlines to Convert from Diesel and Gasoline-Powered to Electrified Equipment

BURBANK, Calif., October 20, 2004 – Work will commence tomorrow on a 45-day project to install battery chargers for electric ground service equipment (eGSE) at all 14 airline gates at Bob Hope Airport.

Southwest Airlines, which offers nearly 70% of all airline flights at the airport, has signed an agreement to convert to new pollution-free equipment that would use the chargers by the end of 2005, but will begin to use new equipment immediately following the charger installation.